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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
CORBETT, Beatrice Margaret (née GRANT) - Queen's University, B.A. Hons. 1944, M.A. 1995 WRCNS (WREN) 1944 - 1945 On November 15, Bea set out on her final sail. She was born and raised in Kingston, lived in Toronto for 44 years, and returned to live in Kingston in 1989. She is survived by her children Connie (Monty), Cathi, and Jamie; her beloved grandchildren Cleo (Jarret), Robin (Erin), Duncan (Jill), Hamish (Leilan), Emma, Nikki, and Casey; and her great-grandchildren Uma, Malcolm, Kai, Hunt Fraser, Lucas Mack, Jamie, Max, Olivia, and Cecelia. She was loved and will be missed by nephews Bill (Nancy) and Jim (Adrienne), and nieces Shelagh (Michael), Jane (Don), and Gail (Bob.) She was predeceased by her son Vaughan, her daughter-in-law Linda, and her former husband Casey; her parents Leroy and Constance Grant (nee MacLean), and her sister, Constance Fraser Dickson. Bea was a loyal Kingstonian, and she valued the contributions that her forebears had made to this country. She was fiercely proud of her Scottish heritage. Her pursuits included memorizing and reciting poetry, sailing the waters of Lake Ontario, reading and discussing books, and birding. She also loved to teach her grandchildren the nuances of English grammar, as well as proper bagpipe technique. Important institutions in her life included the Anglican Church, the Kingston Yacht Club, Queen's University, the 48th Highlanders, the IODE, her reading groups, and the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Bea served as a WREN during the Second World War at the secret installation at Gordon Head, Vancouver Island. She intercepted and decoded enemy communications, and was recently awarded the Bletchley Commemorative Badge and Certificate for this work. Later in life, Bea worked with other WRENs to plan and establish the Navy Memorial Park in Kingston, to honour all who have defended Canada in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy. Many thanks to Cathi Corbett, Erie Jackson, Joely, Bellamy, and Dr. K. Kilpatrick for ensuring that Bea's final years, months, and days were so comfortable. A funeral will be held at a later date, announcement to follow. Memorial donations may be made to Lunch By George at St. George's Cathedral, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, or the Kingston Symphony Orchestra. Family and friends will gather from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday November 21 at the Residence Inn Marriot, 7 Earl Street, Kingston, to share memories of Bea. "Heaven is just beyond the Bay of Quinte."
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